Epidemic Archives: Typhoid

Learn about the memory of epidemics and pandemics in national history through the documents that protect the State Archives, Private and National Institutions

Decreto número 31, relativo a la enfermedad conocida con el nombre de “Matlazahuatl” (1870)Archivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Historical Archive of the Congress of Hidalgo  

The document presented is decree number 31, relative to the debt exemption for personal and municipal contributions to citizens affected by the disease known as “Matlazahuatl”, in the district of Tula, Hidalgo. This decree was approved by the First Legislature of the Congress  of the State of Hidalgo, on March 2, 1870. 



 

The petition was turned over to the first Finance Commission. Once the opinion had been prepared, the deputy Ramón Mancera, a member of the same, sent it to the State executive for Antonino Tagle, constitutional governor to express his opinion; which was to approve the condonation to the citizens of the personal and municipal contributions of the towns of the municipality of Tula and of the other populations affected by this disease. In addition to this, as the authority of the State, it would implement the necessary provisions to prevent or lessen the ravages of the epidemic.



 

Consejo de Salubridad Pública para que identificara las fuentes de infección (1892) by Consejo de Salubridad de ZacatecasArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

General Archive of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas

At the end of the 19th century, Zacatecas was hit by a typhus epidemic that strongly affected the city. The State Government created a Public Health Council to identify the sources of infection and propose how to avoid it. From this Council, Dr. Juan Breña alerted the Board of Directors of the Institute of Sciences of Zacatecas, about the prevailing conditions, and with it, apply measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The notification was sent by Governor Jesús Aréchiga to the Director of the Literary Institute (currently the Benemérita  Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas). In the margin the response of the Board of Directors is noted.  

Cierre temporal del Instituto de Ciencias (1893) by Alumnos del Instituto de Ciencias de ZacatecasArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

During the Tifo epidemic in Zacatecas of 1892-1893, at the request of the students to the governor, the temporary closure of the Institute of Sciences was ordered as of March 1 of that last year. The Institute again continued with its activities from April 10 when the Public Health Council considered that the epidemic had passed.  

Asitencia de enfermos de Tifo en el hospital Civil de Zacatecas (1892) by Hospital Civil de ZacatecasArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Before the attacks of the Tifo, the Civil Hospital of Zacatecas was in charge of treating the sick of the city and those from other localities. The highest phase of contagion occurred from September to December 1892. In the registry of discharges of patients, people who came  from places such as Vetagrande, Pinos, Jerez, Guadalupe, Fresnillo and Lagos are observed. Which testifies to the degree of spread of the disease.  

Informe médico sobre la relación que guarda el municipio de Aguascalientes a la epidemia de Tifo (1911) by Medico Municipal L. ViramontesArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Regional Museum of History of Aguascalientes  

These reports make a count of people infected, deceased, recovered from Typhus and the possible conclusion of the disease. The provision of care, medications and disinfectants is highlighted; Likewise, the lack of hygiene, medical education and healthy nutrition of the poor  class is pointed out.  

Informe médico sobre la relación que guarda el municipio de Aguascalientes a la epidemia de Tifo (1911) by Medico Municipal L. ViramontesArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Typhus had a recurring presence in Mexico until the 20th century. Sometimes it was considered an endemic disease and other epidemic, as it affected and spread in different cities and towns.  

Informe médico sobre la relación que guarda el municipio de Aguascalientes a la epidemia de Tifo (1911) by Medico Municipal L. ViramontesArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

In 1911, in the municipality of Rincón de Romos in Aguascalientes, as in Mexico City, there were cases of infected people, most of which were attributed to the poor sector, due to their bad hygienic habits and poor diet.  

Informe médico sobre la relación que guarda el municipio de Aguascalientes a la epidemia de Tifo (1911) by Medico Municipal L. ViramontesArchivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Likewise, it was attributed to the lack of compliance with the health measures promoted by the Higher Health Council (dependent on the Ministry of the Interior) and the recommendations made by the doctors of the time.  

Apoteosis de la virgen de Guadalupe (1737)Archivo General de la Nación - Mexico

Historical Archive of the Basilica of Guadalupe  

This print was attached to the book of the "Constitutions of the Congregation of Guadalupe", to commemorate the sponsorship of the same image, held on April 27, 1737. The reason for said sponsorship was due to the strong epidemic of matlazáhuatl that devastated Mexico City, which began in a work in Tacuba in August 1736, later spread throughout the city and later throughout New Spain, during the years 1736 to 1739. 

Due to the symptoms that the patients presented, including fevers, chills, shortness of breath, headache, nasal bleeding and rashes; Researchers on the subject have proposed that the disease was typhus, exanthematic typhus, or disease caused by hantavirus.
The Sponsorship of the Virgin of Guadalupe was promoted by the Archbishop and Viceroy Don Juan Antonio Vizarrón y Eguiarreta, who sought care for the population, paying for the services of doctors and drugs, it is estimated that he spent more than one hundred thousand pesos on these headings. Likewise, various sectors of society gave great support to the most underprivileged.

Credits: Story

Archivo Histórico del Congreso de Hidalgo: Fondo: CELySH Sección: 03S Proceso Legislativo Serie: Leyes, decretos, acuerdos económicos y proposiciones Fecha: 27 de enero de 1870 UI: 9 UD: 31 Fojas: 9.  https://sic.cultura.gob.mx/ficha.php?table=archivo&table_id=442   

 Archivo General de la Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas:  Fuente: Archivo General de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Fondo: Instituto de Ciencias de Zacatecas. Oficio del Gobernador Jesús Aréchiga al Director del Instituto de Ciencias, 18 de abril de 1892. 
 Fuente: Archivo General de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Fondo: Instituto de Ciencias de Zacatecas. Oficio del Gobernador Jesús Aréchiga al Director del Instituto de Ciencias, 28 de febrero de 1893. 
 Fuente: Archivo General de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Fondo Incorporado: Hospital Civil, Sección: Gobierno, Serie: Altas, Caja 01, Carpeta: 6. Foja 59 v. Diciembre 1892.
http://sgeneral.uaz.edu.mx/archivo-general 

Museo Regional de Historia de Aguascalientes
https://www.inah.gob.mx/red-de-museos/235-museo-regional-de-historia-de-aguascalientes  

Archivo Histórico Municipal de Cuautitlán: Archivo Histórico Municipal de Cuautitlán, Invocación a la Virgen de Guadalupe para la sanación de los enfermos contagiados por la epidemia de Tifo. 
https://sic.cultura.gob.mx/ficha.php?table=archivo&table_id=284    

 

Archivo Histórico de la Basílica de Guadalupe: “Constituciones fechas por los fundadores y congregantes de la Congregación de la Sacratísima Reina de los Ángeles, siempre Virgen María Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, que a su mayor honor y reverencia se fundó y se rige en su ermita y Santuario, extramuros de esta Ciudad de México. Aprobadas por el señor Provisor y Vicario General de este Arzobispado el 20 de abril de 1674”; Caja 69, Exp. 2. 
https://virgendeguadalupe.org.mx/archivo-historico/      

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites